Tagged: United States

US Tax Dollars Must Not Be Used to Detain Palestinian Children
Betty McCollum, The Nation

US Tax Dollars Must Not Be Used to Detain Palestinian Children

Israel is a powerful nation with the most advanced and capable military in the Middle East. It is the single greatest beneficiary of American military assistance, receiving $3.8 billion, some 25 percent of its defense budget, from American taxpayers each year. The security of Israel is obviously important to the United States, with missile defense programs like Iron Dome and David’s Sling as success stories.

on December 11, 2017
Trump Is Making a Huge Mistake on Jerusalem
Hanan Ashrawi, New York Times

Trump Is Making a Huge Mistake on Jerusalem

President Trump announced on Wednesday that his administration is making a radical break with nearly 70 years of official United States policy and with the international community: He is recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. This decision will be interpreted by Palestinians, Arabs and the rest of the world as a major provocation.

on December 7, 2017
Trump Delivers a Death Blow to the Two-State Solution
Saree Makdisi, Los Angeles Times

Trump Delivers a Death Blow to the Two-State Solution

President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel represents a major break with decades of U.S. foreign policy. It is a final, devastating blow to the prospect of a two-state solution for Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians. The move involves, first, a contemptuous dismissal of Palestinians’ aspirations and rights, a denial of their claim to the city they consider their capital, where almost 400,000 of them live.

on December 7, 2017
Trump’s Jerusalem Moves Spark a Fire in the Middle East
Ishaan Tharoor, The Washington Post

Trump’s Jerusalem Moves Spark a Fire in the Middle East

There is a small constituency in the United States that genuinely cares about the location of the American Embassy in Israel. Evangelicals and a right-wing, pro-Israel lobby were thrilled by President Trump's campaign promises to reverse decades of U.S. policy by recognizing a “united” Jerusalem as Israel's capital and shifting the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv. At a speech on Wednesday, Trump is expected to outline his plans to do just that.

on December 6, 2017
With His Jerusalem Move, Trump Flings Gas Can over a Region Aflame
Murtaza Hussain, The Intercept

With His Jerusalem Move, Trump Flings Gas Can over a Region Aflame

In a move that would break from decades of U.S. policy and potentially trigger major regional turmoil, President Donald Trump is reportedly set to announce that the United States will recognize the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The White House announced that Trump will deliver his remarks on the subject Wednesday, with the New York Times reporting that the president has already informed Israeli and Arab leaders about his plans.

on December 5, 2017
Unprecedented Bill Introduced in US Congress to Deny Israel Aid, Protect Children, and Promote Human
David Palumbo-Liu, Huffington Post

Unprecedented Bill Introduced in US Congress to Deny Israel Aid, Protect Children, and Promote Human

On Tuesday, November 14, Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced the “Promoting Human Rights by Ending Israeli Military Detention of Palestinian Children Act.” The eight original co-sponsors included Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. This piece of legislation has attracted international attention—human rights groups such as the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker charity, and Amnesty International, have come out in support.

on November 16, 2017
Israel Uses U.S. Tax Dollars to Abuse Palestinian Children. This Bill Would Put an End to That.
Zaid Jilani, The Intercept

Israel Uses U.S. Tax Dollars to Abuse Palestinian Children. This Bill Would Put an End to That.

Children ad teenagers are frequent victims of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories. They face physical abuse by Israeli military forces and are shuffled through an unfair court system without access to legal counsel or even their parents. The United States has long subsidized these abuses, giving billions of dollars in military aid to Israel every year. Now, a group of Democratic members of Congress is saying enough is enough.

on November 14, 2017
Gov. Hogan’s Executive Order Stifles Free Speech
Paul G. Pinsky, Jimmy Tarlau, The Baltimore Sun

Gov. Hogan’s Executive Order Stifles Free Speech

This week, Gov. Larry Hogan signed an executive order into law that threatens the First Amendment right of Maryland residents to engage in boycotts and other economic acts of conscience. While it singles out boycotts in support of Palestinian rights in particular, this executive order amounts to an attack on the constitutionally protected right to free speech and the democratic process itself, and it should be rejected by all Marylanders regardless of their views on Israel and Palestine.

on October 26, 2017
Houston Suburb Conditions Hurricane Relief Money On Residents’ Vow Not To Boycott Israel
Jessica Schulberg, Huffington Post

Houston Suburb Conditions Hurricane Relief Money On Residents’ Vow Not To Boycott Israel

A suburb outside of Houston is requiring residents who were affected by Hurricane Harvey to certify that they do not boycott Israel in order to apply for grant money to rebuild their home or business. Dickinson, Texas, located alongside a bayou about 30 miles southeast of Houston, suffered extensive damage during the hurricane that tore through the area two months ago.

on October 20, 2017
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